Kansas City Chiefs 53-man roster projections: Who is out after Jaguars loss?

After the Chiefs 26-13 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, let's make our first projections for the initial 53-man roster.

After the Chiefs' first preseason game on Saturday, we have a clearer view of their potential opening-day roster. The Chiefs will have to set their initial 53-man roster by August 27th at 3 pm Arrowhead time.

A reminder that while we try to be as accurate as possible with these projections, it's impossible to be 100% accurate. We will be updating our roster predictions after each preseason game as well. Previously, the NFL had several smaller deadlines to get the roster down from 90 to 53. The new process only requires one cut-down day. So the Chiefs will set their final 53 all at once.

Quarterbacks

Making the Chiefs roster: Patrick Mahomes, Carson Wentz

The Chiefs have the best QB situation they've had in years. Patrick Mahomes comes in as the undisputed best starting quarterback in the NFL. Former MVP candidate Carson Wentz was added to the roster this off-season, bringing the highest upside to the back QB position since Mahomes filled the role in 2017. Despite some nice moments for Chris Oladokun, Wentz's role is safe based on his experience in the league. Ian book looks like the odd man out when it comes to the practice squad.

Running Backs

Making the Chiefs roster: Isiah Pacheco, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Deneric Prince

Outside of Isiah Pacheco the Chiefs running back room is filled with quite a bit of uncertainty and underachievement. Despite Clyde Edwards-Helaire's shortcomings, he's likely very safe on the roster. Deneric Prince seemed to have his best pre-season performance of his career with some nice plays through the air and on the ground. There's still room for growth for him but he looked much more decisive in his cuts and reads.

Notable Omission: Louis Rees-Zammit and Emani Bailey

Fullback

Making the roster: Carson Steele

One of the stars of the first pre-season game, Steele feels like a lock for the roster currently. While most of his plays came as a traditional running back he's been listed as a full back on the Chiefs depth chart. Either way his combination of power and athleticism makes him a nice hybrid option. it felt significant that he was able to break through in some short-yardage situations, an area in which the Chiefs' offense has struggled.

Wide Receivers

Making the Chiefs roster: Marquise Brown, Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice, Justin Watson, Mecole Hardman, Justyn Ross and Nikko Remigio.

Without any update on a potential Rashee Rice suspension, we will assume he starts the season on the 53. Wide receiver has been one of the toughest spots to predict throughout camp and the 1st pre-season game didn't do much to clarify that picture. After Brown, Worthy, Rice, and Watson it's truly a preference of what the Chiefs want on the offense and special teams.

Kadarius Toney's low standing on the depth chart and inability to stay healthy just illustrates that his career continues to be what it has previously been. Skyy Moore has failed to make any meaningful push for more playing time either. It seems unlikely that the Chiefs would cut Toney and Moore but maybe one is moved for miniscule picks.

Justyn Ross continues to flash in the pre-season and has contributed on special teams some as well. It feels like his role might be safe due to his body size and what he can do at the catch point. After a strong camp and impact on special teams, Remigio feels like a high-impact player they will want on the roster come September.

Notable Omissions: Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore

Tight Ends

Making the Chiefs roster: Travis Kelce, Noah Gray, Jared Wiley

The only noteworthy piece here is the Chiefs trusting Wiley as a blocker. Veteran Irv Smith is on the 90 man currently but has struggled for playing time early and hasn't been able to stay healthy throughout his career. With the possible usage of a full back or H-back it feels like one of the final roster spots on offense is going to come down to Carson Steele at fullback or Irv Smith as the fourth tight end. So far it's Steele's job to lose.

Notable Omission: Irv Smith

Offensive Line

Making the Chiefs roster: Jawaan Taylor, Trey Smith, Creed Humphrey, Joe Thuney, Wanya Morris, Kingsley Suamataia, Mike Caliendo, Hunter Nourzad and Lucas Niang.

Kingsley Suamataia has won the starting left tackle job. If the starting snaps weren't enough evidence of that, giving him a quick hook on Saturday is. Nourzad and Caliendo seem like they've solidified the interior backup spots with Wanya Morris and Lucas Niang rounding out the tackle position. Maybe the Chiefs opt to keep 7th-round pick CJ Hanson instead of Niang, but they will likely want to have two backup tackles.

Notable omission: C.J. Hanson

Interior Defensive Line

Making the Chiefs roster: Chris Jones, Derrick Nnadi. Turk Wharton, Neil Farrell, Fabian Lovett, Mike Pennel

The Chiefs interior was missing both Chris Jones and Derek Nnadi on Saturday night which gave us a good look at some depth pieces. Fabian Lovett had some nice moves and has some desirable NFL traits. However, the team has shown some loyalty to Matt Dickerson over the last year. For now, a rotation of Jones, Nnadi, and Wharton feels like the predominant starters with Farrell and Pennel mixing in on run downs.

Notable omissions: Matt Dickerson

Edge Defenders

Making the Chiefs roster: George Karlaftis, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Mike Danna, Malik Herring

Four seems a little light here but the injury to Charles Omenihu makes this a thinner group. Malik Herring played 36% of the defensive snaps in 2023 and will likely be counted on to start the year. Having flexibility with Chris Jones as an edge rusher here is handy as well. Before the medical emergency,

BJ Thompson was already going to have to fight for a roster spot. With him still not being cleared to practice it could be hard for him to make the 53. Felix Anudike-Uzomah showed some flashes of improvement on Saturday but there's still lots of room for growth, especially on running downs.

Right now it feels like Karlaftis and Danna will play most of the starting snaps with Herring mixing in on run downs and FAU on pass downs until Omenihu returns.

Notable omissions: Charles Omenihu (PUP), BJ Thompson (NFI)

Linebackers

Making the Chiefs roster: Nick Bolton, Leo Chenal, Drue Tranquill, Jack Cochrane, Curtis Jacobs

The top three are locked in but the defense has some snaps to replace with Willie Gay now in New Orleans. Jach Cochrane is highly regarded by both Steve Spagnuolo and Dave Toub so he feels like a lock as well. Despite not making a huge splash against the Jaguars, UDFA Curtis Jacobs might still have an inside track to making the roster with his athleticism and coverage skills.

Notable omission: Cam Jones and Cole Christiansen

Cornerbacks

Making the Chiefs roster: Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson, Joshua Williams, Nazeeh Johnson, Kamal Hadden, Nic Jones

Replacing L'Jarius Sneed will be impossible but at least the Chiefs have depth here. It's been a consistent battle to see who will be the 2nd CB after Trent McDuffie. Joshua Williams hasn't really taken a commanding lead over that role despite Jaylen Watson missing most of camp with injury rehab. The Chiefs have mixed in Nazeeh Johnson, Kelvin Joseph, and even Keith Taylor with the 1st team. It feels like that rotation could be uncertain for a while until Watson is 100%

Rookie Kamal Hadden hasn't shown much in camp, he might be fighting for a roster spot alongside Nic Jones. Jones had an up-and-down day in Jacksonville with a big pass breakup and a big touchdown given up to D'Ernest Johnson. It feels like Ekow Boye-Doye, Kelvin Joseph or Keith Taylor could all steal Hadden or Jones' job. For now, we will stick with the draft stock of Jones and Hadden.

Notable omissions: Keith Taylor, Ekow Boye-Doye and Kelvin Joseph

Safeties

Making the Chiefs roster: Justin Reid, Bryan Cook, Chamarri Conner andJaden Hicks

An injury to Justin Reid's quad has started him on the NFI list for training camp. However, the Chiefs haven't made a move to place him on PUP or IR which means he will likely begin the season on the active roster. Jaden Hicks might have been the most impressive rookie on the field Saturday night. Chiefs fans have lots to look forward to with him and a healthy Justin Reid on the same defense.

Bryan Cook will continue to be a primary starter as well with Chamarri Conner mixing into the slot often. Deon Bush provides a nice floor to the room as a defensive player and as a special teamer but can also likely be stashed on the practice squad safely.

Notable Omissions: Deon Bush

Specialists

Making the Chiefs roster: Harrison Butker, Matt Araiza, James Winchester

No surprises here as the rookie Matt Araiza won the punting job in OTAs. He will have some growing to do over the course of the season, he had some less-than-spectacular kicks in Jacksonville. Harrison Butker and James Winchester both are locks to make it. Harrison Butker has been one of the best kickers in the NFL over the last seven years and was rewarded with a new contract this week. Winchester is one of the longest-tenured Chiefs on the roster and an established veteran.